Self-adjusting container

Abstract

A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having moveable internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing self-adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate materials of differing sizes, shapes and quantities. The weight and size of the confined materials force the compartments of the container to automatically adjust volume when added or dispensed. Means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for compact, convenient and efficient storage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable storage containers, specifically to such containers that store a variety of small articles

Organizing and storing materials, has always been a problem for people such as homeowners, handymen, carpenters, machinists, chefs and many others. They frequently waste time searching for particular items necessary to finish a task. Items at home are many times mixed and misplaced in junk drawers or in separate containers such as jars, cans, bags, and boxes. Countless hours are also wasted in organizing and storing items for future use.

Transporting such items also presents problems, since open containers may not be overturned without spillage. In addition, common storage methods are inefficient with regard to space utilized, and many unnecessary containers are usually required for carrying materials.

Since common storage containers are fixed in volume, unrelated materials are often combined within them in order to utilize the space available more efficiently. Screws, buttons, nails, brackets etc. will end up in the same jar, and must be identified and separated when needed. A jar with a few screws in it wastes space, but adding nails creates its own set of problems.

Many products are currently available which organize, store and provide accessibility to small items. Such things as tool cabinets and medicine chests are designed to separate and differentiate their contents for storage. While these products have had some degree of success, they all lack certain qualities that are essential to people who need secure, compact, segregated, and convenient storage that affords easy identification of their stored items; e.g. carpenters who must organize types of screws, nails, bolts, etc.

The instant invention provides several advantages to its user. The contents are visible, so time is not wasted in finding items. The organizer has segmented compartments that can store and divide a variety of articles and keep them securely divided when the container is in any orientation. The device provides for the efficient use of storage capacity, with minimal empty space. Additionally, the contents of the organizer are easily dispensed, with no commingling of articles from adjacent compartments. Items stored within the container provide force on the individual separating vanes relative to the mass enclosed in each compartment which necessarily increases or decreases the volume of the compartments. When the device is tilted, the weight of the contents enclosed in the compartments forces the vanes to compress downward, producing a secure method for accessing the uppermost compartment without spillage. The user simply tilts the container, orients and opens a flap, and thereafter adds to or pours out the contents.

The instant containing device utilizes longitudinal dividers which create separate chambers accessible from the top or sides. Embodiments presented herein describe different aspects of its novel features, which are generally not limited to size and composition of the enclosed materials. These embodiments have all the advantages described previously, allowing efficient use of space, organization, easy identification, portability, simple dispensing and secure containment.

A preferred embodiment of the container is a transparent closeable cylinder having separating vanes rotatably communicated around a central longitudinal axis of the cylinder, creating a number of wedge-shaped compartments which are independent of each other and are automatically radially adjustable to accommodate varying volumes of stored materials. The edges of the vanes are contoured to match the contour of the container walls to prevent mixing of the items between adjacent chambers. Since all of the compartments are completely enclosed, the container may be turned in any orientation without spilling or commingling of the contents from chamber to chamber. The automatic size-adjustable compartment principle of this embodiment is novel, as well as a simplified dispensing method utilizing gravity to provide separation of the chambers during access. This is unique and is not taught in any prior art.

The proposed container may be constructed with simple materials, such as plastics, for simple, inexpensive production and durable, efficient use thereafter.

Because the vanes, or separators, -are radially free-moving, materials requiring smaller volume are automatically stored in a smaller wedge-shaped chamber because chambers holding materials requiring more space will widen to accommodate those materials. The enclosed materials themselves provide an outward pressure which restricts compression of the vanes and therefore automatically adjusts volume. In this manner, the device is very efficient in the use of space, while keeping the contents separated according to category.

This embodiment has a further advantage, in that it allows the contents to be readily viewed through the transparent sidewalls. By rotating the device around the central axis, all the contents are instantly visible in a sequential compartment-after-compartment manner. Presently used storage devices, such as small utility cabinets having transparent plastic drawers, require changing viewing angles and provide poor visibility of the drawer contents, which are usually only viewable from the front. Cabinets are typically large, and hold very little. In addition, these holders are not easily moved, since the enclosed materials spill when the cabinet is tilted or inverted. The instant invention stores materials more securely and does not waste space.

Although specifically designed molded holders, such as closeable drill bit cases with sized cavities for each bit, meet some needs previously discussed, they are necessarily large, complex, and limited in their storage capacity. These molded cases typically leave no options for storing other related materials, only those materials for which the molded case is expressly designed. The instant device provides a number of highly visible compartments of variable volume and are therefore more practical, especially for adding related materials.

Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, 6,364,125 and 6,378,533 do not afford easy identification of the articles that they organize. It is necessary for users to label or memorize the contents. Furthermore, in some cases, removal of stored articles is complicated and time consuming. The cosmetic jar of U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,533 shows a horizontally compartmentalized container. The advantages described herein, such as visibility, security, accessibility, and simplicity of the present invention are obvious over this prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, and 6,378,533 also teach lateral storage of materials and need pivoted movement to access those materials.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,626,266, 6,318,602 and 522,693 do not permit an assortment of items to be stored and are limited in their design because they must remove the entire contents of their container at one time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,491 describes a tool carrier which is not fully enclosed, therefore contents will spill when tipped or overturned. Although providing segmented compartments, they are made of fabric and cannot visually display the contents of the carrier. Furthermore, this carrier is quite cumbersome, and not convenient for transport.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,329, 5,344,024 and 5,027,972 have the same shortcomings and are somewhat complicated in their general structure. The case of U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,024 does not teach a separate access to cells which lie within. The entire lid must be raised to add or remove articles. Secure enclosure of the other compartments therefore falls very short of the instant device, which provides access to individual compartments within the container from the exterior, without disturbing the integrity of the remaining compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,540 describes only separate inserts which hold materials and are secured to the cylinder by L-shaped flanges. Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,914 and 5,322,166 are complicated arrangements having fixed interior components which do not address the advantages presented by the instant invention.

The compartmentalized receptacle shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,346 shows compartments which are adjustable but not self-adjusting, in that they must be physically moved and thereafter affixed by lugs to the sidewalls of the container. The user must predict the amount of contents to be stored in the container compartments. The advantage of the present invention is that the size of the compartments are automatically adjusted during the use of the device, while still affording access to the compartments.

None of the prior art, therefore, provides all of these elements of the instant device: complete secure enclosure, portability, simple access, readily visible identification, and continuously variable, self-adjusting, volume of chambers.

Although containers do exist which have separate internal chambers with independent access means, such as weekly pill dispensers, these devices have fixed compartment sizes and lack the shape and storage capacity provided by a device as presented herein. The embodiments of the instant invention have large storage capacity relative to the access cavity, they are more easily viewable, and they represent a structure which is generally more easily handled and durable than such existing devices. These valuable features are not obvious, evidenced by the lack of such devices for storage of articles today. Embodiments of the present device produce unforeseen advantages for storage of materials.

None of the prior art teaches a secure longitudinal, self-adjusting, compartmentalized container which offers spill proof accessibility from the exterior to the compartments by orienting the device with respect to gravity. Additionally, because the chambers of instant device widen or compress to hold materials, it does not waste space, and therefore stores material significantly more compactly than present holders.

In short, the prior art and common containers in use today do not anticipate the individual or combined advantages described in the present device. Some of these advantages are:

Compartments which self-adjust volume to accommodate contents

Easy and quick dispensing of contents

Portability and rugged security of contents

Efficient use of storage space

Simplicity of construction

Practical mass production of inexpensive construction material

Storage for a variety of items and materials

Design can be altered to accommodate both small and large storage volumes

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a storage container comprises a top, a base and a substantially cylindrical body with at least one enclosed radially distributed rotatable separator and an access means that facilitates the safe storage and removal of materials. When the device is horizontally oriented, secure access to an uppermost internal chamber is made through the access means in the top. An embodiment having stop tabs insures access to only one compartment during filling or dispensing, regardless of physical orientation of the device. The advantages of the instant invention are automatic variable-volume storage, constant and secure separation of materials, visibility of stored items, easy accessibility, and portability. This invention is intended to provide a secure, efficient, self-adjusting, and useful storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the container.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the lid of the preferred embodiment having a rotatable disk and a flap pivoting near the rim of the lid.

FIG. 3 illustrates materials being properly poured from the device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lid, having a flap which pivots near the center of the lid and a stopping tab to secure access to one compartment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of devices in a base-to-base combination.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment having access at either end and both fixed and adjusting compartments extending various longitudinal distances within.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device. Top 10, tubular cylindrical body 20 and base 30 form a secure container, whereby enclosed materials are prevented from escaping to the exterior.

Top 10 is comprised of a threaded retaining rim 40 having threads 50 matching those threads on cylindrical body 20 so it may be screwed on in a manner similar to a common jar. Holding lip 60 allows movement of rotatable disk 70 when retaining rim 40 is loosened, similar to the design of common mason jars. Flap 80 covers access hole 90 in rotatable disk 70, which may be rotated to a desired position when rotatable disk 70 is turned. Flap 80 snaps securely into access hole 90, and unsnaps to provide access through access hole 90. Sidewalls 100 of tubular cylindrical body 20 are transparent and may be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastic or glass.

Internally, pivotable separators 110 having hinges 120 are rotatably communicated with axle 130, which longitudinally extends from base 30 to top 10 along a central longitudinal axis. Axle 130 is optionally affixed to base 30 at a central point 140 thereby further facilitating the free rotation of separator 110. Separators 110 are substantially rigid and flat and extend radially from axle 130 to sidewalls 100 and longitudinaly from base 30 to top 10. Edges of separators 110 are shaped to closely conform to, and communicate with, the interior contour of base 30, sidewalls 100 and top 10 so that they may be rotated easily, yet prohibit stored material from transferring around the edges of these partitions.

Any number of separators 110 may be used, depending upon the intended use of the device. As can be seen, two adjacent separators 110, base 30, top 10 and sidewall 100 create an adjustable, substantially wedge-shaped compartment 150 within the container which confines materials to that compartment 150. Since separators 110 are rotatable, an angular movement of separator 110 changes the volume of compartment 150. This self-adjusting feature permits storage of differing quantities and sizes of materials within compartments 150.

Since cylindrical body 20 of the device is transparent, items stored within are easily identified from the exterior as the container is rotated. The weight of the enclosed materials cause the separators 110 to flip if the device is rotated while in a horizontal orientation, further facilitating identification of stored materials.

A closer, overhead view of the top 10 of the embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. Finger catch 160 protrudes from rotatable disk 70, simplifying rotation by providing a location where lateral force may be effectively applied.

To access a particular compartment 150 within the container, rotatable disk 70 is turned to a position whereby access hole 90 is aligned with internal compartment 150. Flap 80 is frictionally closed over access hole 90 during storage and snapped open when addition or dispensing of materials is required. Flap pivots 170 allow flap 80 to rotate and open fully. Once access hole 90 is aligned with compartment 150, the device is tilted to an approximately horizontal angle. With the chosen internal compartment 150 is oriented topmost, the weight of the other underlying compartments cause them to compress and internal compartment 150 to widen. Thereafter, flap 80 is snapped open and materials may be added or dispensed by further tilting of the device, as shown in FIG. 3. By using the device in this manner, only one compartment is accessible at a time and materials will not mix with other compartments while the container access hole 90 is open.

Because of the rotatable feature of the separators 110, any particular compartment widens if the device is horizontally oriented and the desired compartment is on top. Gravity forces the materials within the compartments to compress downward, thereby widening the uppermost compartment. Secure access to the uppermost compartment is maintained if the device is then opened.

This embodiment, therefore, provides visibility, security, adjustable volume of compartments and access to compartmentalized materials.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flap which pivots around flap axle 180, located near the center of rotatable disk 70. When reverse flap 190 is lifted, stopping tab 200 is deployed downward and thereafter prevents separator 110 from entering the opening created by access hole 90, regardless of orientation. The user may then rotate the container so that the compartment which is to be accessed is at any orientation, yet the materials within the device are prevented from intermingling since separators 110 are constrained by stopping tab 200. Although this procedure requires an extra turn of the device, an advantage may be gained since the larger part of access hole may now be downward, and some larger materials may be extracted more easily.

Since the present invention is longitudinally compartmentalized, an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, may be created to afford additional storage space and provide a singular container which is easy to carry. This doublet embodiment simply connects two of the previously described embodiments in a base-to-base relationship wherein tops 10 are at opposing ends and afford access to interior compartments. It is possible to construct this embodiment with either pivotable or stationary separators or a combination of both. In this illustration, upper pivotable separators 110 move independently of lower pivotable separators 110.

The bases may either be permanently affixed or designed to be disconnected and reconnected as necessary by common snapping or threading means. It is envisioned that standardized dimensions of containers will allow combinations of different items to be transported and stored. For instance, one day a handyman may need metal screws and a certain assortment of brackets, another day he may need metal screws and nails. By disconnecting the container holding the brackets and connecting the container holding nails, he creates a single, transportable container for his needs on each day. By storing items in a number of single containers which are compatible for combining in a base-to-base manner, the user may transport the items he/she needs in fewer carrying units. It may be noted that such an embodiment is envisioned to have bases which are attachable and detachable to other bases, so that two devices holding materials may be mated temporarily to form a unit for transporting purposes and may thereafter be detached or attached to other devices. It is obvious that a similar arrangement is designable for compatibly connecting tops and bases to form connected stacks of the device.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment having access holes 90 at both ends and having a combination of fixed separators 210 and pivotable separators 110. Some of the compartments extend the entire length of the device—such as long compartment 220, halfway—such as half compartment 230, or somewhere in between—such as short compartment 240. Long compartment 220 is shown to be fixed, while the others are adjustable. Arrows indicate adjustable movement of pivoting separators 110, allowing variations in volume of associated compartments.

An example of a use for such a design is a common ratchet set. Bits may be stored in smaller chambers, but the ratchet driver itself is long and would be stored in a long fixed chamber.

The present invention has many obvious advantages over prior art. It represents a novel approach to storage of a variety of materials and its novelty is evidenced by the absence of any similar carrying and storage methods in use today.

Not only does the instant device have specific novel aspects, the combined effect of these novel features present an unobvious invention which is not anticipated in the prior art or in present usage. It is obvious that form and structure changes may be made to the embodiment, such as having a sliding flap on the top, having a one piece top, having separators which hang over a central tube as rotating means, or curving the sidewalls of the tubular body while keeping it equidistant from the central axis for aesthetic purposes, without changing the basic concept presented herein. Additionally, an embodiment in which some of the separators are fixed within the device allows a combination of compartments that are of constant volume and others that adjust. Also, placement of stopping lugs on internal surfaces of the device could prevent separators from rotating too far if desired.

The present invention has many obvious advantages over prior art. It represents a novel self-adjusting approach to storage of a variety of materials and its novelty is evidenced by the absence of any similar carrying and storage methods in use today.

Not only does the instant device have specific novel aspects, the combined effect of these novel features present an unobvious invention which is not anticipated in the prior art or in present usage.

It has advantages over other storage methods such as in this partial listing:

compact storage            durability
visible storage            lightweight
spillproof                 holds a variety of separate materials
simple and variable design inexpensive and simple to manufacture
categorized materials kept accessibility to stored materials
separated
may be sized to meet needs quick and easy access to contents

The device is envisioned for use in containing the following partial list of materials;

miscellaneous                    coins
tools                            samples
fasteners                        sewing needs
craft supplies                   drill bits, other bits
art supplies                     collectibles
teaching supplies - chalk, tacks etc. snacks
desk supplies                    candy
keys                             pills
training supplies - band aids, tape etc.

It has been shown that the referenced prior art does not anticipate this device and that this device has advantages over presently existing storage methods. Since similar embodiments of the present device are not available in the present environment and the instant device represents a useful item having many advantages, it follows that it is novel in nature and unobvious. Although the descriptions herein contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
10 top                   20 tubular cylindrical body
30 base                  40 retaining rim
50 threads               60 holding lip
70 rotatable disk        80 flap
90 access hole           100 sidewall
110 pivotable separators 120 hinges
130 axle                 140 central point
150 compartment          160 finger catch
170 flap pivots          180 flap axle
190 reverse flap         200 stopping tab
210 fixed separators     220 long compartment
230 half compartment     240 short compartment

Claims

1. A container for holding items comprising:

(a) atop,

(b) abase,

(c) a substantially tubular sidewall,

(d) at least one substantially planar separator,

(e) at least one access means,

(f) a pivoting means,

whereby said tubular sidewall communicates distally with said base and proximally with said top forming a substantially cylindrical enclosed volume and said at least one substantially planar separator is in longitudinal rotatable communication with said pivoting means and edges of said at least one planar separator internally and substantially continuously communicate with said base, said top, and said sidewall forming at least two enclosed internal compartments whereby rotation around said pivoting means of said at least one substantially planar separator volumetrically alters at least one of said at least two enclosed compartments and said items may be inserted into and dispensed from said at least two enclosed internal compartments through an access opening created by said at least one access means and whereby said at least one substantially planar separator is free to rotate during storage, insertion and dispensing of said items.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said at least one access means is moveably communicated with said container whereby said at least one access means is alignable with said at least two internal compartments to provide access to only one of said at least two enclosed internal compartments.

3. The container of claim 1 whereby said at least one access means incorporates a restraining means whereby said restraining means prevents rotation of said at least one planar separator into said access opening thereby precluding simultaneous access to more than one of said at least two enclosed compartments.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one substantially planar separators is in fixed communication with said pivoting means, said top, said base and said substantially tubular sidewall.

5. The container of claim 1 having external connecting means whereby said external connecting means communicates with a said external connecting means of at least one other of said containers forming a unified combination of said containers whereby said unified combination increases total storage capacity and facilitates transport and manipulation of said containers.

6. A substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device for storing materials having at least one continuously rotatable longitudinal internal partition and at least one external access means whereby at least one of said at least one longitudinal internal partitions moveably communicates with internal surfaces of said substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device thereby forming at least one enclosed interior chamber which is variable in volume and said materials are insertable and removable from said at least one enclosed interior chamber through said at least one external access means.

7. The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6 whereby said at least one external access means is moveable and alignable with said at least one enclosed interior chamber.

8. The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6 wherein said at least one external access means has a separating means whereby said separating means forcibly restrains at least two of said at least one longitudinal internal partitions thereby providing external access to only one of said at least one enclosed interior chambers.

9. The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6 having attaching means whereby multiple units of said device are externally mutually connectable by said attaching means to form a combined single storage device.